Rear camera shield

[cyberHoward]

I looked at many cars with rear cameras and they are usually under an overhang like a lift gate or hatchback. Sometimes there is just a ledge that overhangs it. With the Cybertruck, the rain comes down the tonneau and flows over it to the point where you can't use it. The snow and mud makes it worse. I was thinking if I just 3D printed an overhang to glue to the liftgate plastic, it would redirect the water and mud. I would probably make it like a tent so it splits the water. I know there is some hydrophobic cover you can buy, but I have had no luck with that. Has anybody tried to add something like this? I am considering the rear camera sprayer hack as well.

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[BSDEktelon]

In my experience the issue isn't so much water coming down off the back, but backspray from the tires and the general airflow around the rear of the vehicle. The aerodynamics of every car/truck creates a vortex behind it which actually pulls dirt and water from the road onto the back of the truck and dirties the rearview camera. Every vehicle experiences this...even ones where the camera is tucked under an overhang.

Abstract Ocean has a superhydrophobic camera lens that is designed to mitigate this, but in my experience doesn't work (the really long review is mine). Your experience may vary.

https://www.abstractocean.com/products/superhydrophobic-camera-cover-for-cybertruck-v2

I'm actually looking at the rear camera sprayer as a potential alternative. Most of the time my camera stays clear, but when it's dirty it drives me nuts! Especially now with v14 FSD...

 

[cyberHoward]

I have tried the superhydrophobic camera cover gen 1 and it just fogged up. I have gen2, but gen 1 was so hard to get the gunk off, I haven't tried it. When driving in the rain or snow the camera is almost worthless. I don't see the constant impairment on my Model 3, Juke Nissan, nor my old 1500. I want to try and see if there is a way of shielding it with an overhang, but if the water is from the tires, then that won't work. I do have mud guards on. I am hoping this sparks some conversations, but the sprayer is probably my best solution for now as I have to back into my driveway and garage to charge and in the winter it is a pain to get out and wipe the camera. Maybe someone else has tried some 3D printed overhangs?

 

[kpanda17]

ClearVU
I remember Chuck Cook did an install video

 

[kpanda17]

ClearVU
I remember Chuck Cook did an install video

 

[kpanda17]

It was Chris aka Dirty Tesla did the install of the rear washer


btw, ClearVu now has side camera washers also
Amazing

 

[cyberHoward]

Did not know about the side cameras, that is awesome. I would imagine you are just splitting the rear feed on the passenger fender and then the probably similar path on the driver's side. I wish Tesla would come out with a package, it only makes sense. I guess I will bite the bullet and order both. In Ohio, the snow, slush, salt, and rain all do their best to block my cameras. I am pretty sure there is nothing with this installation that would cancel any of my warranty.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

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I taped a Mandolorian helmet from a keychain as a water break and it works nicely!

 

[cyberHoward]

Nice. When you are driving with water on the highway or if it is raining, does actually let you see or does the water just spray still across the camera? I take the helmet is high enough it does not block the view. I wondering if you can take a closer picture and let me know how far out it protrudes and how high above the camera it is.

 

[Mystery.Shadow]

I was thinking if I just 3D printed an overhang to glue to the liftgate plastic, it would redirect the water and mud. I would probably make it like a tent so it splits the water.

I was thinking of making some sort of wind deflector. Very much not unlike those on hatchbacks and those old classic station wagons. They had a deflector which kept road gunk off the rear window. Don't see why it would be any different for the Cybertruck's rear camera.

 

[eser50]

I should call her...

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